Have you ever wondered what makes some firewood better than others? If so, learning about kiln-dried firewood is key. Kiln drying is a process that sets firewood apart in terms of burning efficiency, convenience, and even environmental friendliness. Read on to discover the details behind this special heating fuel.

How Kiln Drying Changes Firewood

Before we dive into specifics, it helps to understand what kiln drying actually does. A kiln-dried firewood process exposes cut and split logs or lumber to intense heat that evaporates moisture content rapidly. According to The Wood Database, this controlled environment can dry the wood down to between 15% to 20% humidity or less. As a result, kiln firewood has some clear-cut advantages over wood dried through natural air drying methods alone.

How Kiln-Dried Firewood Benefits People

There are a few major benefits to using kiln-dried firewood rather than standard firewood. First, efficiency is key. Since kiln firewood has had a significant portion of its original moisture content evaporated, it burns much hotter and more thoroughly. There is less dampness to hamper complete combustion, so more heat is released from the wood. That means faster warm-ups and longer-lasting fires with less kiln firewood needed to produce equal heat. Kiln-drying firewood also kills off fungi, bacteria, insects, insect eggs, and larvae, reducing mess and odor. Kiln dried wood is lighter too, since water weight has been reduced, making it more convenient to handle and move around. Lastly, burning kiln-dried wood is better for air quality and the environment since it combusts more completely. There is less smoke and fewer toxic chemicals released compared to burning wetter, unseasoned wood.

How You Can Buy Kiln-Dried Firewood

Unfortunately, kiln-dried firewood is less common than regular air or wind-dried firewood you'll find being sold. Production costs are higher to operate commercial drying kilns. However, specialty firewood dealers and some larger national chains do sell small to mid-sized batches of kiln-dried logs and lumber for fireplaces and wood stoves.

The performance benefits can make the investment in kiln firewood worthwhile if you heat by wood regularly each winter. According to Arbor Custom Analytics, in the United States, 1.8 million households heat their home with wood. If you're looking to purchase this type of firewood, reach out to Stone Bridge Landscape & Masonry today to place your order.